New York, NY, March 28, 2012 … The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) today welcomed the outcome of the Park Slope Food Co-op vote on whether to hold a referendum on the boycott of Israeli products at the co-op in Park Slope, Brooklyn.

At a meeting last night, co-op members rejected a campaign to force a vote on whether to exclude Israeli products from its shelves, with 1,005 people voting against the motion, and 653 voting in favor.

"We are gratified that co-op members voted in keeping with the co-op's commitment to ethical living, respect, openness and dialogue," said Ron Meier, ADL New York Regional Director.

"The reality is that the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is complex, as are the obstacles to reconciliation. The harsh rhetoric of the pro-boycott activists ignores the support of the Israeli public for a two-state solution and the Israeli government's efforts to promote negotiations and improve the situation on the ground for Palestinians, while disregarding Palestinian intransigence, terrorism and violence. The "no" vote against the referendum enables members of the Park Slope Food Co-op to continue to shop using their own conscience according to the co-op's democratic values."

The campaign to remove Israeli products from Co-op shelves was led by a group of Park Slope Food Co-op members who support the international Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement against the state of Israel. The group believes that BDS pressure exerted solely on Israel would somehow force Israel to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

ADL is the world’s leading anti-hate organization. Founded in 1913 in response to an escalating climate of anti-Semitism and bigotry, its timeless mission is to protect the Jewish people and to secure justice and fair treatment for all. Today, ADL continues to fight all forms of hate with the same vigor and passion. A global leader in exposing extremism, delivering anti-bias education, and fighting hate online, ADL is the first call when acts of anti-Semitism occur. ADL’s ultimate goal is a world in which no group or individual suffers from bias, discrimination or hate.